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Demographic Transition in Eva P. Trezevant Neighborhood: From Black Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Eva P. Trezevant neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina, currently exhibits a Black Majority demographic composition, with 55% of the population identifying as Black in 2022. This represents a significant shift from previous years, suggesting a community in transition. The neighborhood is characterized by a very low median income of $13,499 in 2022, indicating substantial economic challenges. The area is named after Eva P. Trezevant, likely a historically significant figure in Columbia's past.
Over the past decade, the Eva P. Trezevant neighborhood has undergone a notable transition in its racial composition. From 2013 to 2019, the area maintained a strong Black Majority status, with the Black population consistently representing over 70% of residents. Starting in 2020, a significant shift began to occur. The percentage of Black residents decreased from 76% in 2019 to 55% in 2022, while the White population increased from 16% to 37% over the same period. This change suggests a transition from a Low Diversity community dominated by a single racial group to a more Moderate Diversity composition, though still maintaining a Black Majority status.
The Hispanic and Asian populations have remained relatively stable and small throughout this period, each consistently representing about 2% of the population. The category of residents identifying as two or more races has shown a slight increase, potentially indicating a trend towards greater racial mixing in the community.
The neighborhood's economic situation, as reflected by median income, shows a complex pattern. From 2013 to 2016, there was a significant decline in median income, dropping from $16,036 to $10,104. This decline coincided with the period of highest racial homogeneity in the community. From 2017 onwards, there has been a gradual increase in median income, rising to $15,833 in 2021 before slightly decreasing to $13,499 in 2022. This economic improvement correlates with the increasing racial diversity in the neighborhood.
The population of the neighborhood has been steadily declining over the past decade, from 1,615 in 2010 to 1,278 in 2022. This population decrease, combined with the changing racial demographics and modest income improvements, suggests a possible gentrification process or urban renewal efforts that are altering the neighborhood's composition.
The trends observed in the Eva P. Trezevant neighborhood align with patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States. The gradual increase in diversity, particularly the growth of the White population in a historically Black neighborhood, often indicates gentrification processes in urban settings. The modest increase in median income, while still remaining very low compared to national averages, is also consistent with early stages of neighborhood transition.
The persistent low median income suggests that this neighborhood continues to face significant economic challenges compared to national averages. The median household income in the United States was around $67,521 in 2020, highlighting the severe economic disparity faced by residents of Eva P. Trezevant.
The Eva P. Trezevant neighborhood is undergoing a significant demographic transition, moving from a highly homogeneous, low-income Black community towards a more diverse racial composition. While this shift is associated with some economic improvements, the area still faces substantial economic hardships. These changes likely have profound implications for long-term residents, community dynamics, and local policies aimed at balancing development with the needs of existing community members.
